Wisecracking teacher Gabe Kotter (Gabe Kaplan) is in for the challenge of his career when he accepts a job at his alma mater, teaching an unruly band of misfits called the Sweathogs. His students - including class clown Arnold Horshack (Ron Palillo), hip athlete Freddie Boom Boom Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs), tough guy Juan Epstein (Robert Hegyes), and the cocky and so confused Vinnie Barbarino (John Travolta) - are a proven nightmare for instructors.